Method, system and apparatus for transcribing information using wearable technology

Abstract

A wearable scribing system includes a camera and a microphone which communicate information to a remote system via a receiver/transmitter device. A scribe at the remote system inputs the information into an electronic health record. The wearable scribing system enables direct physician to physician communication.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 a. a body; 
 b. a video camera stored within the body, the video camera configured for capturing video content; 
 c. a microphone stored within the body, the microphone configured for capturing audio content; 
 d. a communication mechanism configured for sending the video content and the audio content to an external device, wherein the external device is used to input an electronic document; and 
 e. a mechanism to cover the video camera, wherein the mechanism to cover the video camera is configured to slide between an open position and a closed position to cover the video camera, wherein when the mechanism to cover the video camera is in the open position, the microphone, the video camera or both automatically turn on. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the body is wearable. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the body is wearable on a user's torso. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism to cover the video camera comprises a slidable cover. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the communication mechanism is configured for sending the video content and the audio content to an intermediary device which is configured for sending the video content and the audio content to the external device. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the communication mechanism includes a wired connection to the intermediary device. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the communication mechanism includes a wireless implementation to communicate with the intermediary device. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein sending the video content and the audio content to the external device includes sending the video content and the audio content to a headset of a scribe or other display of the scribe. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus comprising:
 a. a non-transitory memory for storing an application, the application for:
 i. capturing video content with a video camera stored within a body; 
 ii. capturing audio content with a microphone stored within the body; 
 iii. communicating the video content and the audio content to an external device, wherein the external device is used to input an electronic document; 
 
 b. a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured for processing the application; and 
 c. a mechanism to cover the video camera, wherein the mechanism to cover the video camera is configured to slide between an open position and a closed position to cover the video camera, wherein when the mechanism to cover the video camera is in the open position, the microphone, the video camera or both automatically turn on. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the body is wearable on a user's torso. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the mechanism to cover the video camera comprises a slidable cover. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the application is further configured for sending the video content and the audio content to an intermediary device which is configured for sending the video content and the audio content to the external device. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a wired connection to the intermediary device. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a wireless implementation to communicate with the intermediary device. 
     
     
       15. A method of utilizing a wearable scribing system comprising:
 a. securing the wearable scribing system on a user, wherein the wearable scribing system includes a body, a video camera, a microphone and a slidable camera cover; 
 b. configuring the wearable scribing system by moving the slidable camera cover into a closed position or an open position, wherein when the slidable camera cover is in the open position, the microphone automatically turns on; 
 c. acquiring video content using the video camera when the slidable camera cover is in the open position; 
 d. acquiring audio content using the microphone; and 
 e. transmitting the video content and the audio content to an external device, wherein the external device is used to input an electronic document. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  wherein the body is secured to a user's torso. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15  wherein sliding the slidable camera cover to the closed position automatically turns off the video camera. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15  further comprising transmitting the video content and the audio content to an intermediary device which is configured for transmitting the video content and the audio content to the external device. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  further comprising coupling the wearable scribing device to the intermediary device with a wired connection. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  further comprising coupling the wearable scribing device to the intermediary device with a wireless implementation. 
     
     
       21. A system comprising:
 a. an external device; 
 b. an intermediary device configured for communicating with the external device; and 
 c. a wearable device configured for communicating with the intermediary device, the wearable device comprising:
 i. a non-transitory memory for storing an application, the application for:
 1. capturing video content with a video camera stored within a body; 
 2. capturing audio content with a microphone stored within the body; 
 3. communicating the video content and the audio content to the intermediary device which communicates the video content and the audio content to the external device, wherein the external device is used to input an electronic document; 
 
 ii. a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured for processing the application; and 
 iii. a mechanism to cover the video camera, wherein the mechanism to cover the video camera is configured to slide between an open position and a closed position to cover the video camera, wherein when the mechanism to cover the video camera is in the open position, the microphone, the video camera or both automatically turn on. 
 
 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 21  wherein the wearable device is wearable on a user's torso. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 21  wherein the mechanism to cover the video camera comprises a slidable cover. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 21  wherein the wearable device communicates with the intermediary device using a wired connection. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 21  wherein the wearable device communicates with the intermediary device using a wireless implementation. 
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 21  wherein the intermediary device communicates with the external device using a cellular network and/or the Internet.